Keystone pipeline not good for environment, nation

Tar sands, which the Keystone XL will be used for, create more air and water pollution than normal crude oil, both at the extraction site and along the path of the pipe itself; tar sands pipes having a greater frequency of leakage. The broken tar sands pipe a few weeks ago in Arkansas does little to assuage this concern. Increased pollution will harm wildlife and lead to higher health-care costs and mortality rates along the path of the Keystone XL.

While it is true we need to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, it's already been going down since 2005. In 2011, only 10 percent of our total oil used came from the Persian Gulf, while 13 percent actually came from Canada, our largest foreign supplier. The U.S. itself supplied 55 percent. Rather than invest in such hazardous sources, I encourage Congress and President Obama to invest in local, renewable, clean energy sources, and increased energy efficiency. Doing so will create local jobs and energy; reduce our fuel consumption, demand and foreign dependence; and reduce prices and pollution, which leads to reduced health-care costs and a healthier environment, citizenry and economy.

Matt Balke

Indianapolis

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Keystone pipeline not good for environment, nation

Tar sands, which the Keystone XL will be used for, create more air and water pollution than normal crude oil, both at the extraction site and along the path of the pipe itself; tar sands pipes having